Comparing effects of astaxanthin, turmeric and Spirulina platensis on growth, immunological parameters and coloration in white Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effects of four experimental diets on growth, immunological parameters, and coloration of the white Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz in Spix and Agassiz, 1831). So that, 120 individuals, with an average weight of 7.5 ± 0.5 g, were randomly distributed in 12 aquaria (10 fish in each aquarium). The fish were fed with 4 diets as follows: pigment-free (as the control), astaxanthin, turmeric powder, and spirulina powder (100 mg kg-1) for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, growth and immunological indices, as well as coloration were measured. There was a significant difference between control and the astaxanthin treatment in all growth indices except for condition factor (p0.05). There was a significant difference between some treatments in the intensity of primary and secondary colors (p<0.05). The findings exhibited that all three types of pigments employed in this study could improve the growth factors, immunological parameters, and coloration of white Oscar; however, astaxanthin outperformed the others.

Keywords

• carotenoid
• astaxanthin
• oscar fish
• turmeric
• lysozyme